FA BLM CESU Cooperative Extension Monitoring Agreement, Gila District | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "FA BLM CESU Cooperative Extension Monitoring Agreement, Gila District."

2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The offering agency is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

3) What type of award is this?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument.

4) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (instead of a standard grant)?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial federal involvement in the project during performance. Based on the description, this may include joint planning and coordination between BLM and the CESU partner on monitoring priorities, protocols, and review of project outputs.

5) What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The agreement is intended to create a formal structure for the Desert Southwest CESU (DSCESU) Cooperative Extension Program and the BLM Gila District to jointly plan and run a collaborative rangeland and natural resource monitoring program on public lands.

6) Where will the work take place?

The work is focused in Arizona and is specifically tied to the BLM Gila District.

7) What kinds of activities or work does the opportunity emphasize?

The emphasis is on collaborative rangeland and natural resource monitoring work, including strengthening BLM capacity to inventory and monitor rangeland conditions, assess trends, interpret results, and translate monitoring findings into management-relevant information for public land decision-making.

8) How does this opportunity relate to the CESU program?

This opportunity sits within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) framework, which connects federal land management agencies with universities and other partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education across multiple disciplines.

9) Which CESU network is specifically referenced?

The work is organized through the Desert Southwest CESU (DSCESU).

10) What is the Desert Southwest CESU (DSCESU)?

DSCESU is a CESU network formed in 2000 that spans Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas and has managed hundreds of projects across the Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan desert regions.

11) What disciplines does the CESU framework support?

The CESU framework is designed to support work across disciplines such as biology, ecology, cultural resources, social science, and engineering.

12) Is this opportunity described as new work or a continuation of existing collaboration?

It is framed as an extension or continuation of an established partnership. The announcement states the effort builds on a cooperative relationship that has already been in place for nearly 15 years.

13) What are the stated objectives of the project?

The stated objectives include: (1) providing high-quality, up-to-date research and technical assistance that can directly inform natural resource management on public lands; (2) maintaining an effective and efficient ongoing relationship between BLM and a CESU partner; and (3) providing workforce development opportunities for students, interns, and entry-level professionals to gain hands-on experience alongside federal personnel.

14) Does the opportunity include workforce development or training components?

Yes. The agreement is explicitly designed to provide students, interns, and entry-level professionals opportunities to work with federal personnel and gain hands-on experience with on-the-ground resource management.

15) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Natural Resources.

16) What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount listed is $325,000.

17) What is the award ceiling (maximum potential award amount)?

The award ceiling is $325,000.

18) What is the award floor (minimum potential award amount)?

The award floor is $65,000.

19) How many awards was the agency expecting to make?

The agency expected to make one award.

20) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided description.

21) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing is 15.237 (Rangeland Resource Management).

22) What does the CFDA listing suggest about the focus of the work?

The CFDA listing (15.237, Rangeland Resource Management) signals that the work is aligned with rangeland monitoring and management priorities.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to CESU members. While a summary table may appear "unrestricted," the eligibility section clarifies the intended applicants are CESU partners (typically participating universities or approved network members within the DSCESU arrangement).

24) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on July 1, 2014.

25) What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was August 4, 2014.

26) Where were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were due through Grants.gov.

27) What time were applications due on the deadline date?

Applications were due by 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

28) Were late applications accepted?

No. The description states that proposals submitted after the deadline were not to be considered.

29) When was the listing archived?

The listing was archived on August 12, 2014.

30) Does the opportunity mention any specific public land system units it may support?

Yes. The description notes that the monitoring and decision-support information may support decisions affecting public lands, including National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) units.

31) Who is the contact person for access issues or administrative questions?

The contact listed is Eddie W. Bell Jr., Grants Management Officer.

32) How can the listed contact be reached?

Phone: 602-417-9268. Email: ebell@blm.gov.